Truth Matters: Remembering His Words

By Ken Askew

6 “He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise." 8 And they remembered his words,” ESV Luke 24:6-8

This past week I spent a good deal of time studying the events surrounding the resurrection of Jesus as recorded by Luke. Each Gospel writer records the event. Yet each writer records it from a unique perspective and felt compelled by the Holy Spirit to record different, complimentary details.

One of the recurring themes in the Luke’s account is that of remembrance. In our text today, several women had gotten up early and headed out near dawn to the place where Jesus was buried with the intent of continuing the preparation of his corpse for proper burial. Fully expecting a corpse, they instead found an empty tomb!

Well, the tomb wasn’t completely empty. They did encounter what appeared to be two men in dazzling clothes (angels). And one of these men made the grand announcement: “He is not here, but has risen.” He continues by telling them to “remember” the words of Jesus. Jesus had indeed spoken of His impending persecution, His death and His subsequent resurrection while He was ministering in Galilee; see Luke 9:22; 18:31-33.

These women must have heard that testimony firsthand because the text tells us that they remembered and then they returned to tell the news to the eleven. This had to be what I like to call an “aha” moment. When they remembered His words, and connected them to the current events, I’m convinced that their faith was strengthened immensely. They had to literally swell from the increase in their faith. Can you imagine how the conversation turned? Could it be? Yes, He’s alive; just like He said! Now, because of their remembrance, they can carry on with renewed confidence and hope.

Fast forward to today. Christ’s words (indeed all scriptures) are just as important for us to commit to memory today. Just as Moses admonished the Hebrews to “take these words to heart” in Deuteronomy, we should take scripture to heart; cementing it in our minds through careful study so that when trials and tribulations come (when, not if) we can be prepared to “remember” His words, have our faith strengthened, and carry on with renewed hope.

R. Kent Hughes, in Disciplines of a Godly Man, has this to say:

You must remember this: You can never have a Christian mind without reading the Scriptures regularly because you cannot be profoundly influenced by that which you do not know. If you are filled with God’s Word, your life can then be informed and directed by God – your domestic relationships, your child-rearing, your career, your ethical decisions, your interior moral life. The way to a Christian mind is through God’s Word!

Develop a Christian mind. Read the Bible. Study the Bible. Study it so that it becomes a part of your very being. Study it so that it profoundly influences every facet of your life. And when the trials come, your remembrance of the Word will strengthen your faith; His Word will bear you through.